THE ARTISTIC TYPE: A BLOG OF THEATER, ARTS AND CULTURE

This Friday, Sept. 13, the Shoestring Theatre in Lake Helen will open the popular musical "The Man of La Mancha."

Based on Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's two-part, semi-autobiographical novel, the tale of Don Quixote was turned into a Tony-winning musical by Dale Wasserman and Joe Darion.

The story tells of the "lunatic" knight Don Quixote through a story within a story, narrated by author Cervantes to his fellow prisoners while awaiting trial before the Inquisition. He tells of how Quixote, after reading so much about the times of chivalry, goes on a quest accompanied by a quick-witted farmer, Sancho (who acts as his squire) to renew the sentiments of past times. He encounters many fantastical obstacles — including a monster that turns out to be a windmill. One of Quixote's most touching encounters is with a kitchen-maid strumpet whom he idealizes and reaches out to as his "Lady Dulcinea."

The popular song "The Impossible Dream" is from the show, which will be directed by Anne Sollien. In the cast: David Lowe as Cervantes/Don Quixote; Aladdin Demps as Sancho; and Alexa Baldwin as Aldonza/Dulcinea.